Spar-lathe.



R. C. TURNER.

SPAR LATHE.

APPucATmN man Nov. i2. 1917.

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R. C. TURNER.

SPAR LATHE.

APPLICATION FILED Nov, I2. 1917.

lp295,392 Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

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R. C. TURNER.

SPAR lLAHf. APFLICATIQN FILED NOV. 12| |917.

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RALPH C. TURNER, OF BELLINGHAM, WASHINGTON.

SPAR-LATHE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 25, 1919.

Application led November 12, 1917. Serial No. 201,679.

To all whom 1f/may concern:

Be it known that I, RALPH C. TURNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bellingham, in the county of Whatcom and State of Washington, have invented a new and useful Spar-Lathe, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in spar lathes and the objects of my invention are to provide a lathe which will properly mount, hold and slowly revolve long and large logs from which long spars and masts are made while a revolving cutter is shaping the same, to provide flexible and adjustable guides for the cutter stock and to provide a strong, simple and conveniently operable machine.

I attain these objects by the mechanism illustrated in the accompanying two sheets of drawings in which- Figure 1 is an end elevation view of the lathe, Fig. 2 is a side elevation view of a portion of the butt end of the lathe, Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the cutter stock, Fig. 4 is a separated view of the driving mechanism for the butt stock in end elevation drawn on a larger scale, Fig. 5 is a separated view of a portion of the driving mechanism for the cutter stock in sectional end elevatio-n drawn on a larger scale, Fig. 6 is a plan view of the lathe with transverse sections broken away, Fig. 7 is a plan view in diagram of a partly turned mast, in place in the lathe, which is drawn in dotted outline on a smaller scale, and is designed to illustrate the cutter-stock-carriage track adjustment, Fig. 8 is an enlargement of Fig. 1, Fig. 9is an enlargement of Fig. 3, and Fig. 10 is a separated end-elevation view of one of the cutter-stock-carriage rails and the bar to which it is fastened, `drawn in cross section on a larger scale.

Similar characters refer to similar parts in the several views.

Certain parts are broken away in lorder to show others hidden thereby.l

The novel characteristics of my lathe are, the method ofi mounting and revolving the logs from which spars are made and, the adjustable guideway for the cutter. The former comprises separable rings, each of 'which is mounted for revolution in a roller cradle and has radial centering and clamping screws. These roller cradles are each mounted on a bolster which is removably clamped to parallel rails or lathe shears.

For the purposeof this description these devices are referred to as roller-cradle stocks. The latter comprises two, light, parallel rails fastened to spacing cross bars which are slidable longitudinally on chafing bars fastened between said shear rails .to cross ties. Means are provided to adjust this track to lie in easy curves or straight lines either parallel with or inclined to said shears. The cutter is mounted for revolution on a carriage having flanged wheels to roll on the adjustable track which thus becomes an adjustable guideway for said cutter.

More particularly: 1 is a bolster for the butt roller cradle stock, 12L is a bolster for the steady-rest roller cradle-stock, 1b is a bolster for the tail roller cradle stock, 2, 2 are parallel Trails, spiked to cross ties 3, 3, 3, to which said bolsters are fastened by hook bolts 1C, 1, 1. 3a, 3a, 3a, are chafing plates fastened to the tops of cross ties 3. 4 and 4EL are two light T rails fastened, in a parallel relation, to slide bars 5, 5, 5. 4b is a rack fastened to the outside o-f the web of rail 4. Each of slide bars 5 has an upturned end to form lugs 5a, 5a, 5a. 5b, 5b, 5" are threaded crank rods engaged in tapped holes in the web of one of rails 2. l The i11- ner end of each of rods 5b passes through a hole in one of lugs 5a which registers with one of said holes through the web of rail 2. Said inner end is engaged to said lug by a set ring 5C on each side of said lug. The outer end of each of rods 5b is shaped to form a crank and handle. 6 is the head or butt roller cradle stock, being a ring having an outside toothed rib 6a, roller surfaces 6", 6b, four radial tapped holes in each o-f which is engaged a turret headed screw 6c with a revoluble cap 6j. Each of said screws is retained by a set nut 6h. 6d is a pinion engaged with gear 6a and is rigidly mounted on shaft 6e. Shaft 6e is mounted for revolution in bearing Gf which is bolted to bolster 1, see Fig. 4. On the other end of shaft 6e is rigidly mounted drive pulley 6g.' 7 is a steady-rest roller cradle stock, a ring having roller surfaces 7b, 7b and four tapped radial holes in each of which is engaged a turret headed screw 6c. 7b is the tail roller cradle stock and resembles the steady-rest stock 7 in every respect. Each of stocks 6, 7 and 7a is mounted on a roller cradle comprising two pairs of rollers 8, 8, etc. Each o-f rollers 8 is mounted on bearings 8**L fastened on top of one of said holsters. Each of said i roller cradle stocks is made in two parts` bolted together, as shown. 9 is the platform of the cutter stock and has four bearings 9t fastened to its under side in which are mounted axles 9S, 9s of truck wheels 9b, 9", 9", 9b, each having a fiange 9. Said wheels are mounted on tracks Ll, 4ta. 9C and 9j are two registering vertical bearings fastened respectively below and above the platform 9. In said bearings is mounted shaft 9e on the lower end of which is rigidly mounted pinion 9d engaged with rack 1th, see Fig. 5. 0n the upper end of shaft 9e is bevel gear 9f having hub 9q slidable on `spline 9D with which it is engaged. Spline 91 is inserted in a key seat in shaft 9e. 9g isa ratchet having two notches 9h and 9i, rigidly connected to bearing 9j. A yoke 9r on the lower end of hand lever 9k is engaged with an annular groove in hub 9q of gear 9f. Finger lever 9 is pivoted to hand lever 9k and connected by a rod to dog 9n pivoted to said hand lever where it may engage in either of notches 9h or'9". 9a is a bearing bracket fastened to the top side of platform 9. 1() is a revolving cutter head mounted on one end. of mandrel 10d. Mandrel 10d is mounted forerevolution in bracket bearing 9a parallel to tracks it, da. Four cutters 10a are fastened to cutter head 10. Gutters 10a,

1021, etc., are mounted and adjusted to cause their points of contact with the spar to be vertically over track 1a. A pulley 10b is rigidly mounted on mandrel 10d. 1()c is a worm rigidly mounted on the other end of said mandrel. 1ld is a worm wheel engaged with worm 10C and rigidly mounted on the upper end of diagonal shaft 11. Shaft 11 is mounted for revolution in bearings 11b and 11c fastened to bearing bracket 9a. 11a is a bevel gear rigidly attached to the lower end of shaft 11 and engaged with gear 9t when it is in its upper position shown in Fig. 3. When hand lever 9k is moved to cause dog 9u to engage in notch 9i gear 9f is moved down on shaft 9e and on spline 9p out of engagement with gear 11a, as usual with such gear shifting devices. 12 is an electric motor, having controller 14, both of which are mounted on cutter stock platform 9. The shaft of said motor has a pulley 12a in belting relation with pulley 10b en the cutter head mandrel. Belt 13 transmits power from pulley 12at to pulley 10b. In Fig. 7 A is a log rigidly held by screws 6C in stocks 6, 7, and 7EL for revolution with and by said stocks. From said log the partly completed mast A1, A2, A3 has been turned by cutters 10a.

To operate my lathe, the upper half of each of stocks 6, 7 and 7a is removed, by aid of a suitable crane, after removing the bolts fastening the parts of said stocks together. The bolsters 1, 1a, 1a, on which said stocks are mounted, are fastened to rails 2, 2 with hook-bolts 1, as described, and relatively placed as shown in dotted outlines in Fig. 7, where the first position of stock 7a is at 7a. Log A, suitable for the mast to be turned, is then, by the aid of said crane, placed in the lower halves of said stocks 6, 7 and 7 a, resting on the caps 6j on the inner ends of those screws 6C in said lower halves of the roller stocks. The removed parts of the roller stocks are replaced and fastened and screws 6C are adjusted to bring the longitudinal center line of log A substantially to coincidence with the axis of revolution of said roller stocks. This adjustment is aided by referring to center line a-a which is marked on the floor beneath the lathe, Fig. 7. Track 1, 4 is adjusted by using crank screw rods 5b, to bring the inner sideof the head of rail 4a vertically below the front side of part A1 of said mast. This position is indicated by A1 in Fig. 7. Then tool stock 9 is placed on its track A, da to the right of log Ain Fig. 7. Drive pulley 6g is caused to revolve by a belt and source of power not shown, and thus head, rollercradle stock 6 is caused to revolve slowly by pinion 6d. This revolves log A which, in turn, causes roller-cradle stocks 7 and 7a to revolve. Motor 12 is then started, causing the rapid revolution of cutter head 10, which, in turn, causes the slow `movement of the cutter carriage on tracks 4, 4c through worm gears 10c, 11d, bevel gears 11a, 9i, and rack and pinion 4b, 9d, and the top end of part A1 of the mast is turned by revolving cutters 10a. When the tool stock reaches position 9, Fig. 7, its further progress leftward is prevented by the tail roller cradle stock at 7 t. Then all power is shut oif and tail roller stock is taken from its position at 7 a and placed in positiona. This is done by first removing the bolts that fasten the two halves of ring 7a together, lifting oif the upper half of said ring, loosening the nuts on hook bolts 1, 1c in bolster 1b and turning said hooks to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and then removing the lower half of ring 7L and bolster 1b and setting them up and thus assembling the tail roller stock in position 7a, Fig. 7, where it will remain to properly hold the top end of the mast until the work of turning it is complcted. Turning is resumed and continued until the cutters have reached the hounds shoulder at A3, when power is stopped and tracks a, 4ta shifted, by using crank screw rods 5b, to bring the inside surface of the head of rail 4a in a vertical position below the contour of the line A2, Fig. 7. Work is again resumed until the tool stock reaches position 9 where steady-rest stock 7 prevents further movement. Said stock is then removed from its position shown in Fig. 7 and set up to the right of the tool stock after the manner that the tail roller stock was moved and set up. Turning again proceeds until the cutters have reached the butt section of the mast when it is stopped and tracks 4l, la are shifted toA bring the front side of the head of 4a vertically below the contour of line A3 when turning is resumed and continued until the cutters have reached the butt end of the mast. The surface of the new mast is then finished by the use of sand paper or other proper abrasive applied on the revolving mast. -This being completed the top parts of the roller stocks are re moved and the completed mast with the butt end of the log attached is taken from the lathe and said butt end cut off when the mast is completed.

Tracks 4L, La are sufficiently pliable to make them readily adjustable to lie in the contour of any mast or boom stick likely to be desired. The described construction of the log-supporting mechanism is important. The great weight7 length and considerable irregularity of the logs make the ordinary means of support for the material operated on insufficient for my objects. My rollercradle supporting device aords the ease and freedom in turning the log that is essential for the purpose intended.

A greaternumber of roller stocks than three is used when turning the longer masts. Because of the great weight, length and considerable irregularity of the logs to be turned, above referred to, turret-head screws 6 are well adapted t0 adjust, clamp and retain the logs in proper position in the annular head, rest, and tail stocks, as shown. Vhen said screws must bear on finished parts of the mast, blocks of wood are placed between caps 6j and the mast in order to protect the work from injury.

Having fully disclosed my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- In a spar lathe in combination, twoparallel lathe-shear tracks; a plurality of roller cradles movably fastened to said shear tracks adapted to mount the work; a cuttercarriage guideway transversely flexible in a plane parallel with the plane of said shear tracks and having mounted thereon, for longitudinal movement only, a cutter carriage mounting a rotary cutter; and means to adjust said cutter-carriage guideway in curves and tangents thereto in said plane.

RALPH C. TURNER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, D. C. 

